Designation: D4737 10

Standard Test Method for

Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation1

This standard is issued under the xed designation D4737; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript epsilon () indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* 1.1 The calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation provides a means for estimating the ASTM cetane number (Test Method D613) of distillate fuels from density and distillation recovery temperature measurements. The value computed from the equation is termed the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation. 1.2 The Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation is not an optional method for expressing ASTM cetane number. It is a supplementary tool for estimating cetane number when a result by Test Method D613 is not available and if cetane improver is not used. As a supplementary tool, the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable equation must be used with due regard for its limitations. 1.3 Procedure A is to be used for Specication D975, Grades No. 1D S15, No. 1D S500, No. 1D S5000, No. 2D S15, No. 2D S5000, and No. 4D. This method for estimating cetane number was developed by Chevron Research Co.2 Procedure A is based on a data set including a relatively small number of No. 1D fuels. Test Method D4737 Procedure A may be less applicable to No. 1D S15, No. 1D S500, and No. 1D S5000 than to No. 2D grade S5000 or to No. 4D fuels. 1.3.1 Procedure A has been veried as applicable to Grade No. 2D S15 diesel fuels.3 1.4 Procedure B is to be used for Specication D975, Grade No. 2D S500. 1.5 The test method Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation is particularly applicable to Grade 1D S5000, Grade No. 1D S500, Grade No. 2D S5000 and Grade No. 2D S500 diesel fuel oils containing straight-run and cracked stocks, and their blends. It can also be used for heavier fuels with 90 % recovery points less than 382C and for fuels containing derivatives from oil sands and oil shale.

NOTE 1Sxx is the designation for maximum sulfur level specied for the grade. For example, S500 grades are those with a maximum sulfur limit of 500 ppm (g/g).

1.6 Biodiesel blends are excluded from this test method, because they were not part of the datasets use to develop either Procedure A or B. 1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 2. Referenced Documents 2.1 ASTM Standards:4 D86 Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products at Atmospheric Pressure D613 Test Method for Cetane Number of Diesel Fuel Oil D975 Specication for Diesel Fuel Oils D1298 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specic Gravity), or API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Products by Hydrometer Method D2887 Test Method for Boiling Range Distribution of Petroleum Fractions by Gas Chromatography D4052 Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter D6751 Specication for Biodiesel Fuel Blend Stock (B100) for Middle Distillate Fuels D6890 Test Method for Determination of Ignition Delay and Derived Cetane Number (DCN) of Diesel Fuel Oils by Combustion in a Constant Volume Chamber D7170 Test Method for Determination of Derived Cetane Number (DCN) of Diesel Fuel OilsFixed Range Injection Period, Constant Volume Combustion Chamber Method 2.2 CEN Standards:5

1 This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.E0 on Burner, Diesel, Non-Aviation Gas Turbine, and Marine Fuels. Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2010. Published September 2010. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D473709a. DOI: 10.1520/D4737-10. 2 Ingham, M. C., et al., Improved Predictive Equations for Cetane Number, SAE Paper No 860250, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), 400 Commonwealth Dr., Warrendale, PA 15096-0001. 3 Supporting data (the analysis leading to the use of Procedure A for No. 2-D S15 diesel fuels and to Procedure B) have been led at ASTM International Headquarters and may be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:D02-1699.

4 For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page on the ASTM website. 5 Available from the National CEN members listed on the CEN website (www.cenorm.be) or from the CEN/TC 19 Secretariat (astm@nen.nl).

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright. (C) ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive PO box C-700, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428-2959, United States

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Mon May 9 16:40:01 EDT 2011 1 Downloaded/printed by Universidad Industrial De Santander Bucaramanga Columbia pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.

D4737 10
EN 14214 Automotive fuels Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for diesel engines Requirements and test methods 3. Summary of Test Method 3.1 Two correlations in SI units have been established between the ASTM cetane number and the density and 10 %, 50 %, and 90 % distillation recovery temperatures of the fuel. Procedure A has been developed for diesel fuels meeting the requirements of Specication D975 Grades No. 1D S15, No. 1D S500, No. 1D S5000, No. 2D S5000, and No. 4D. It has been found to be applicable to Grade No. 2D S15. The relationship is given by the following equation:
CCI 5 45.2 1 ~0.0892! ~T10N! 1 [0.131 1 ~0.901!~B!#@T50N#1 [0.0523 2 ~0.420!~B!#@T90N# 1 [0.00049]@~T10N!2 2 ~T90N!2# 1 ~107!~B! 1 ~60!~B!2 (1)

= 50 % recovery temperature, C, determined by Test Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric pressure T90 = 90 % recovery temperature, C, determined by Test Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric pressure 3.3.1 The equation for Procedure B when T10, T50, and T90 are in F is:3
CCI 5 2399.90~D! 1 0.06183 ~T10! 1 0.06733 ~T50! 1 0.03483 ~T90! 1 304.09 (3)

T50

where: CCI = Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation, D = Density at 15C, g/mL determined by Test Methods D1298 or D4052, DN = D - 0.85, B = [e(-3.5)(DN)] - 1, = 10 % recovery temperature, C, determined by T10 Test Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric pressure, T10N = T10- 215, = 50 % recovery temperature, C, determined by T50 Test Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric pressure, T50N = T50- 260, = 90 % recovery temperature, C, determined by T90 Test Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric pressure, and T90N = T90- 310. 3.2 The empirical equation for Procedure A of the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation was derived using a generalized least squares tting technique which accounted for measurement errors in the independent variables (fuel properties) as well as in the dependent variable (cetane number by Test Method D613). The data base consisted of 1229 fuels including; commercial diesel fuels, renery blending components and fuels derived from oil sands, shale, and coal. The analysis also accounted for bias amongst the individual sets of data comprising the database. 3.3 Procedure B has been developed for diesel fuels meeting the requirements of Specication D975 Grade No. 2D S500. The relationship is given by the following equation:3
CCI 5 2399.90~D! 1 0.1113 ~T10! 1 0.1212 ~T50! 1 0.0627 ~T90! 1 309.33 (2)

where: CCI = Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation D = Density at 15C, g/mL determined by Test Method D1298 or D4052 T10 = 10 % recovery temperature, F, determined by Test Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric pressure T50 = 50 % recovery temperature, F, determined by Test Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric pressure T90 = 90 % recovery temperature, F, determined by Test Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric pressure 3.4 The empirical equation for Procedure B of the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation was derived from National Exchange Group data for 111 No. 2D S500 diesel fuels with sulfur level between 16 and 500 ppm using a Partial Least Squares technique. A 3-principal component model was chosen. The model was validated with a set of 980 diesel fuels with sulfur levels in the same range. 4. Signicance and Use 4.1 The Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation is useful for estimating ASTM cetane number when a test engine is not available for determining this property directly and when cetane improver is not used. It may be conveniently employed for estimating cetane number when the quantity of sample available is too small for an engine rating. In cases where the ASTM cetane number of a fuel has been previously established, the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation is useful as a cetane number check on subsequent batches of that fuel, provided the fuels source and mode of manufacture remain unchanged.
NOTE 2Test Methods D6890 and D7170 may be used to obtain a Derived Cetane Number (DCN) when the quantity of sample is too small for an engine test. These methods do measure the effect of cetane improver.

where: CCI = Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation D = Density at 15C, g/mL determined by Test Methods D1298 or D4052 T10 = 10 % recovery temperature, C, determined by Test Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric pressure

4.2 Within the range from 32.5 to 56.5 cetane number, the expected error of prediction of Procedure A of the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation will be less than 62 cetane numbers for 65 % of the distillate fuels evaluated. Errors may be greater for fuels whose properties fall outside the recommended range of application. 5. Procedure 5.1 Determine the density of the fuel at 15C to the nearest 0.0001 g/mL, as described in Test Method D1298 or Test Method D4052.

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Mon May 9 16:40:01 EDT 2011 2 Downloaded/printed by Universidad Industrial De Santander Bucaramanga Columbia pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.

D4737 10
5.2 Determine the 10 %, 50 %, and 90 % recovery temperatures of the fuel, as described in Test Method D86. 5.3 Test Method D2887 maybe used as an alternative to Test Method D86 to determine the 10%, 50%, 90% recovery temperatures of the fuel. 5.3.1 If Test Method D2887 is used, convert the Test Method D2887 data to estimated Test Method D86 data following Appendix X5, Correlation of Jet and Diesel Fuel, of Test Method D2887 and use the estimated Test Method D86 data in place of actual Test Method D86 data in the calculations. 5.3.2 Provision for use of Test Method D2887 data in this test method is intended to facilitate its use in determining compliance with Specication D975 requirements. If this test method is used for purposes other than Specication D975 compliance, the use of estimated Test Method D86 data should be reviewed to ensure it is acceptable. 6. Calculation or Interpretation of Results 6.1 Compute the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation using the equation given in 3.1 (Procedure A) for Grades 1D S15, 1D S500, 1D S5000, 2D S15, 2D S5000, and 4D. The calculation of Procedure A is more easily performed using a computer or programmable hand calculator. Round the value obtained to the nearest one-tenth. Compute the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation using the equation given in 3.3. (Procedure B) for Grade No. 2D S500. 6.1.1 Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation (Procedure A) can also be easily determined by means of the nomographs (applicable to Procedure A only) appearing in Figs. 1-3. Fig. 1 is used to estimate the cetane number of a fuel based on its density at 15C and its 50 % recovery temperature. Fig. 2 is used to determine a correction for the estimate from Fig. 1 to account for deviations in the density and the 90 % recovery temperature of the fuel from average values. Fig. 3 is used to determine a second correction for the estimate from Fig. 1 to account for deviations in the 10 % and the 90 % recovery temperatures of the fuel from average values. The corrections determined from Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are summed algebraically with the cetane number estimate from Fig. 1 to nd the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation (Procedure A). The method of using these nomographs is indicated by the illustrative example shown below and on Figs. 1-3.
Test Test Test Test Test Method Method Method Method Method Measured Fuel Properties D613 Cetane Number D1298 Density at 15C, kg/L D86 10 % Recovery Temperature, C D86 50 % Recovery Temperature, C D86 90 % Recovery Temperature, C Calculated Cetane Index Estimate from Fig. 1 Correction from Fig. 2 Correction from Fig. 3 34.0 +0.6 +2.5 ______________ CCI = 37.1 37.0 0.885 234 274 323

FIG. 1 Calculated Cetane Index

FIG. 2 Calculated Cetane Index

6.2 The Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation possesses certain inherent limitations which must be recognized in its application. These are as follows:

6.2.1 It is not applicable to fuels containing additives for raising the cetane number. 6.2.2 It is not applicable to pure hydrocarbons, nor to non-petroleum fuels derived from coal. 6.2.3 It is not applicable to fuels containing biodiesel as dened by Specication D6751 or CEN Specication EN 14214.

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Mon May 9 16:40:01 EDT 2011 3 Downloaded/printed by Universidad Industrial De Santander Bucaramanga Columbia pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.

D4737 10
6.2.4 Substantial inaccuracies in correlation may occur if the equation is applied to residual fuels or crude oils. 7. Report 7.1 Report the result of Procedure A or Procedure B to one decimal place (XX.X) as:
Cetane Index by D4737 ~Procedure A or B! 5 _____________ (4)

8. Precision and Bias 8.1 The determination of Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation from measured density at 15C and measured 10 %, 50 % and 90 % recovery temperatures is exact. 8.2 PrecisionThe precision of the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation is dependent on the precision of the original density and recovery temperature determinations which enter into the calculation. Test Method D1298 has a stated repeatability limit of 0.0006 kg/L and a stated reproducibility limit of 0.0015 kg/L at 15C. Test Method D4052 has a stated repeatability of 0.0001 g/mL and reproducibility of 0.0005 g/mL. Test Method D86 has stated repeatability and reproducibility limits which vary with the rate of change of recovery temperature. See Figs. 2 through 7 and Tables 7 through 10 of Test Method D86 for details. 8.3 BiasNo general statement is made on bias of this test method since a comparison with accepted reference values is not available.
FIG. 3 Calculated Cetane Index

9. Keywords 9.1 cetane; cetane index; diesel fuel

SUMMARY OF CHANGES Subcommittee D02.E0.02 has identied the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (D473709a) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Aug. 1, 2010.) (1) Updated Procedure B based on additional NEG data for Grade No. 2D S500 diesel fuel throughout. (2) Added use of Procedure A for Grade No. 2D S15 diesel fuel throughout. (3) Added a new research report.

Subcommittee D02.E0.02 has identied the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (D473709) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Dec. 1, 2009.) (1) Added Test Methods D6890 and D7170 to the Referenced Documents and standard text. (2) Added new Note 2. (3) Added CEN Specication EN 14214 to the Referenced Documents and standard text.

Subcommittee D02.E0.02 has identied the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (D473704) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Oct. 1, 2009.) (1) Revised 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 5.2, and 6.1. (2) Added Note 1, 1.6, and 6.2.3. (3) Added Specication D6751 to the Referenced Documents.

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Mon May 9 16:40:01 EDT 2011 4 Downloaded/printed by Universidad Industrial De Santander Bucaramanga Columbia pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.

D4737 10
ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility. This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every ve years and if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below. This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or service@astm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website (www.astm.org). Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the ASTM website (www.astm.org/ COPYRIGHT/).

Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Mon May 9 16:40:01 EDT 2011 5 Downloaded/printed by Universidad Industrial De Santander Bucaramanga Columbia pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.